Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Motorola Moto G73. I'll break down the specs, focusing on what they actually mean for you, the user, rather than just rattling off numbers. We'll look at design, display, performance, cameras, and battery life. Let's get started!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed table comparing the key specs of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Motorola Moto G73, with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | Motorola Moto G73 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | 161.4 x 73.8 x 8.3 mm | The Sony is slightly taller, the Motorola is a bit wider. Both feel similar in thickness but not necessarily the same in hand. |
| Weight | 186g | 181g | The Motorola is negligibly lighter, but you'll likely not notice it. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1644 x 3840 | 1080 x 2400 | Sony: Incredibly sharp visuals, perfect for high-res content. Motorola: Clear, but not as crisp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 643 | 405 | Sony: Noticeably sharper, individual pixels are almost invisible. Motorola: A good experience, not as detailed. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Sony: Vibrant colors, deep blacks, excellent contrast. Motorola: Good, but blacks can appear more gray than true black. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | Sony: Flagship level power, faster processing. Motorola: Good midrange performance, but slower. |
| Antutu Score | 889,100 | 497,466 | Sony: Handles demanding tasks easily, great for gaming. Motorola: Capable for everyday use, less power for intense gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | IMG BXM-8-256 | Sony: Handles graphics-heavy tasks and games better than the Motorola |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Sony: Captures detailed shots with great low light. Motorola: Higher megapixel count, pixel size is less. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Motorola: Higher resolution selfies. Sony: Wider aperture for better low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Optical Zoom | None | Sony: Offers great zoom capabilities for distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.3 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Sony: Wider scenes, good quality. Motorola: Slightly wider aperture. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | None | Sony: Improved depth sensing for better portrait mode. |
| Video | Up to 4K 120fps HDR | Up to 1080p 60fps | Sony: Professional-level video recording. Motorola: Good for basic video recording. |
| DXOMark (Camera) | 105 | Not Tested | Sony: Solid performance in photos and videos according to DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW | Manual Focus, Night Mode | Sony: Professional-level control. Motorola: More point and shoot friendly |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola: Likely longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Both charge quickly. |
| Battery Features | Bypass Charging | None | Sony: Can operate off wall power while gaming/charging to limit heat and stress on the battery |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Motorola: Newer, more up-to-date software. Sony: Will get update to 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast and reliable internet connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Motorola: Newer Bluetooth version for improved stability and power efficiency. Sony: More codec support. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | Motorola: Supports more satellite systems for potentially greater location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | Sony: Higher storage options. |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB | Sony: Better for multitasking, background apps are less likely to be killed in the background |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which may be a point of frustration for some users |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Sony: better audio for listening, Motorola good for recording |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide a standard fingerprint security, quickly unlock the phone |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Sony: Better drop protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Accelerometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Sony: More advanced sensor package for enhanced capabilities and gaming |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 1 III Strengths:
- Stunning Display: The 4K OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate is the clear standout. It offers incredible sharpness, vibrant colors, and deep blacks, making media consumption a joy.
- Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset ensures smooth performance, handling demanding games and multitasking effortlessly.
- Professional Camera System: With a versatile set of lenses, including a telephoto lens with optical zoom, and excellent video capabilities, it's perfect for photography enthusiasts.
- Premium Audio: Features like Hi-Res Audio, and Dolby Atmos enhance the listening experience through its front facing stereo speakers.
- Advanced Features: Extras like bypass charging, optical image stabilization, and a barometer sensor set it apart.
- Robust Design: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides good protection against drops.
Motorola Moto G73 Strengths:
- Excellent Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery should keep you going through a full day of use.
- Modern Software: The newer version of Android provides the latest features and security updates.
- Competitive Price: It offers a good balance of features at a more accessible price point.
- Good All-Rounder: Decent performance for everyday tasks and a respectable display, for the price.
- Reliable Audio: Provides clear and immersive audio through its stereo speakers.
Trade-Offs and Limitations:
- Sony Xperia 1 III: Significantly more expensive, with the tradeoff of no expandable storage.
- Sony Xperia 1 III: Older software out of the box, however, can be updated to Android 13
- Motorola Moto G73: Lacks premium camera features and display quality compared to Sony, slightly lower chipset performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 1 III:
- Content Creators: Photographers, videographers, and those who enjoy watching high-resolution content will love this phone's camera system and display quality.
- Gamers: The powerful processor, ample RAM, and high refresh rate provide a fantastic gaming experience.
- Tech Enthusiasts: If you value the latest technology, advanced features, and build quality, this is the phone for you.
- Audio Enthusiasts: If you value quality audio, this phone is the best choice out of the two, with support for hi-res audio.
Motorola Moto G73:
- Everyday Users: Those looking for a reliable device for daily use without the need for high-end features.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Offers great value for the price, providing a solid experience without breaking the bank.
- Users Seeking Long Battery Life: The larger battery is ideal for those who need their phone to last a full day.
- Those who don't need professional photo and video features: It has a good enough camera for social media and casual photos/videos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide which phone is right for you:
- How important is display quality to you? If you crave the best possible display for media consumption, the Sony is the clear winner. If you're fine with a good but not extraordinary screen, the Motorola is a suitable option.
- What's your main use case and performance expectation? If you are a gamer or content creator requiring top performance, the Sony is more appropriate. However, if you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and calls, the Motorola will do just fine.
- What's your budget? The Sony Xperia 1 III is a premium device with a high price tag. If you're on a budget, the Motorola is a great option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Media Mogul: You watch a lot of movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos on your phone. Recommendation: The Sony Xperia 1 III due to its 4K OLED display.
- Scenario 2: The Gamer: You play graphics-intensive games and need smooth performance. Recommendation: The Sony Xperia 1 III due to its high-performance chipset.
- Scenario 3: The Casual User: You use your phone for everyday tasks and need a reliable device that won't break the bank. Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G73 for its balance of features and lower price.
- Scenario 4: The Professional Photographer/Videographer: You are very keen on capturing the best photos and videos on your phone. Recommendation: The Sony Xperia 1 III for its professional camera quality and video recording features
My Choice
If it were up to me, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 III. While the Motorola Moto G73 is a solid phone and a great value for the price, my priority is the best possible display, the strongest performance, and the ability to take high quality photos and videos. I am happy to pay more to get that premium experience and not have to compromise on aspects such as those. The quality of the camera and the display on the Sony are a lot better than the Moto G73, making it a much more enjoyable experience for my use case as a tech journalist and enthusiast. The battery trade-off would be acceptable for the premium features.
